Mount hosts summer academic institute

First row, left to right: Dante Cantú, director, Center for Student Success; Lanette Perez-Villarroel, HEOP program coordinator; Gabriela Monroy, Mamaroneck, NY, psychology; Justin Perez, Washingtonville, NY, mathematics; Ilce Velarde, Newburgh, NY, biology; Fr. Kevin Mackin, OFM, Mount president; Melody Martin, Bronx, NY, nursing; Gifty Adusei, Bronx, NY, biology; Lisbel Tavares, Brooklyn, NY, sociology/criminology.

Second row, left to right: Mount junior Corrine McLaughlin, Bronx, NY, psychology; Adrian Willis, Newburgh, NY, business management; Caitlyn Motter, Valley Central, NY, mathematics; Mount senior Christopher Fandino, Brooklyn, NY, interdisciplinary studies; Natalis Carmona, Bronx, NY, human services; Keino Isaac, associate director of HEOP, and Shanice Robe, Valley Stream, NY, accounting.

Fr. Kevin Mackin, OFM, president of Mount Saint Mary College recently greeted new students from the Class of 2016 Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).

The students are participating in the HEOP Summer Academic Institute, a five-week program designed to prepare the 10 pre-freshmen for college life, initiate the process of building academic skills, and acquaint them with support services.

The summer program is mandated for HEOP students by the State Education Department.